Secret Garden Birthday Party

Colorful blooms are wound into wearable party favors. Photographs (2) by Jennings King

Secret Garden Birthday Party

Blythe Hill of Yoj Events schools us in her easy, DIY flower crowns, a fun party activity for guests of all ages

Written by Melissa Bigner

On a Saturday last spring, Yoj Events owner Blythe Hill and her husband, Martin, threw a party for their daughter Millie’s first birthday. “Birthdays are a big celebration of life,” says the new mom, “and I wanted her first to be filled with joy, bright colors, yummy food, and, most importantly, the people we love and who love her.”

The secret garden motif involved a bit of crafting. Some elements (such as the Italian ruscus-wrapped leads for the over-size balloons and the hand-painted macarons) were tackled beforehand and used as decoration. Others, like the floral crowns, were entertainment. For those, Blythe walked the mothers through a few simple steps, then they coached their daughters along. Here, get tips on the DIY for your own springtime fête.

Easy Flower Crown Entertainment

You will need:*

Italian ruscus greenery

Pip circlets (order online)

Scissors (regular or floral)

Florist tape

A bucket of hardy blooms in water (ranunculus, spray and garden roses, and smaller peonies work well)

Ribbon

* amounts depend on the number of crowns you will make

Tape the Italian ruscus to the circlet, allowing the leaves to sprig out. Affix several strands onto the circlet for a full look. Choose blooms (the amount depends on how dense a crown you wish to have) and snip the stems, leaving an inch or two. Tuck the bloom in between the leaves and tape the flower stem to the crown base. Repeat until you’ve got your desired look. Mix colors, vary sizes, and alternate the directions the blooms face. Tie ribbons to each end of the circlets (see top right), leaving enough to trail. Use them to tie the crown on head.